Education minister promises action over school furniture anomalies

Patna: Education minister Sunil Kumar on Friday said action would be taken against officials found involved in malpractice in procurement and supply of benches and desks for govt schools. He also said the education department would issue an order within 15 days enabling women employees to avail 730 days of child care leave (CCL) during their service.He was replying to short-notice questions in Bihar legislative council.RJD MLC Abdul Bari Siddiqui raised concerns over the quality and quantity of school furniture supplied. Several MLCs alleged that low-quality items were delivered and quantities were less than recorded. MLCs Nawal Kishore Yadav and Vanshidhar Brajwasi alleged district officials pressured headmasters to sign backdated documents reflecting higher quantities.The minister said action would follow if misconduct was established. He said action had been taken earlier in similar cases and a team from headquarters would verify complaints.On CCL, MLCs Sanjay Kumar Singh and Nawal Kishore Yadav sought clarity on implementing 730 days across the service period in line with a central govt gazette notification. It was pointed out that despite recommendations from the Governor’s Secretariat and involvement of Bihar State Higher Education Council, the final decision was pending.Kumar said he had reviewed the matter a day earlier and assured that an enabling order would be issued within 15 days.Leader of opposition in the legislative council, Rabri Devi, urged posting female teachers closer to home. The minister said the suggestion would be considered.Opposition MLCs later protested outside the Vidhan Parishad over law and order, focusing on crimes against women. Rabri Devi cited the death of a 16-year-old girl in Patna and said such incidents were occurring daily. Referring to deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary’s earlier statement, she said he had promised to resign if criminals were not caught within 24 hours but had failed to ensure arrests.Siddiqui questioned the difference between “Ram Rajya” and “Jungle Raj,” alleging there was no control over crime in Bihar.